Technical Writer & Editor

Nance Overton
5290 Honoiki Road
Princeville, HI 96722
808.346.0872
nco@ncoconsulting.biz

Career Summary and Accomplishments
 

I have over 17 years experience in technical writing and editing in various fields and 8 years in management.  During that time, I have devoted my energies to ensuring that any document my staff or I produce is easily readable and understandable by the intended audience.  I believe the audience’s ability to comprehend the documentation is directly related to the overall success of any project.  I am motivated, dedicated, meticulous, and constantly striving to learn new things. 

During my last position, I accomplished the following:

  • Mentored and trained new technical writers.  
  • Helped establish the Documentation Department and created the Company documentation standards.
  • Developed a mentoring program, bringing on another person to assist in creating the initial proposal.  

While serving in a volunteer capacity as Education Director for the Society for Technical Communication, Sacramento Chapter, I accomplished the following:

  • Initiated and handled the chapter’s first student technical writing competition.
  • Initiated and oversaw the development of a technical writing presentation for area schools.
  • Spoke at various area schools about technical communication as a career.
  • Received the “Volunteer of the Month” award twice.
   

Professional Experience

11/1997 - 3/2003

LML Technologies

Roseville, CA
 

Documentation Manager
 
  • Coordinate and manage document projects.
  • Manage department personnel.
  • Maintain Documentation Web Page on Intranet site.
  • Create online HTML help for software products.
  • Develop and write software user and installation manuals, instruction sheets, quick start guides, release notes, user employee manuals, and forms for all departments.
  • Create and maintain department budget.
     

3/1997 - 11/1997

Self-Employed

Orangevale, CA
 

Writer/Consultant

  
 
  • Write various types of documents in accordance with customer requirements.
  • Edit customer documents for school or business.
     

2/1989 - 3/1997

Lockheed Martin - Narda West

Rancho Cordova, CA
 

Configuration Data Specialist

  
 
  • Review customer specifications.
  • Prepare RFPs for documentation and tests.
  • Develop and write configuration management plans, test plans, test procedures from customer and military specifications.
  • Write Manufacturing Travelers.
  • Manage document and drawing due dates, document submissions, and customer approvals.
  • Voting member of the Configuration Control Board.
  • NOTE: Company is now L3 Communications in Folsom, CA.
     

6/1986 - 2/1989

Certified Contractors’ School

Woodland Hills, CA
 

Research Manager

  
 
  • Develop coursework, practice exams, and video scripts for all contractor licenses available in California. 
  • Interview test takers to discern new information to include in coursework. 
  • Set up video equipment and tape classes. 
  • Research answers for specific questions from students.
  • Interview, hire, train, and oversee all administrative personnel in six locations.
  • NOTE: Company is no longer in business.
     

Education

6/1986

California State University, Northridge

Northridge, California
 

Bachelor’s Degree (Magna Cum Laude)

  
 

English

 
   

Professional Affiliations

4/1998 - Present

Society for Technical Communication

Senior Member, Past Education Director, (Recently appointed Webmaster for Aloha Chapter)

Software

Software Name

Skill Level

Last Used

Years Experience
 

MS Office

Expert

Currently used

15 years
 

FrameMaker

Intermediate

Currently used

5 years
 

Visio

Intermediate

Currently used

6 years
 

Dreamweaver

Intermediate

Currently used

3 years
 

Fireworks

Intermediate

Currently used

3 years
 

Microsoft Project

Intermediate

2 years ago

5 years

References
 

Available upon request.